IPL: 5 players you didn't know were once a part of CSK
Chennai Super Kings are probably the most loved - and most popular - team in the history of the Indian Premier League. Led by a talismanic captain MS Dhoni, CSK have lifted the trophy thrice thus far in 12 editions.
While most fans will remember the likes of Albie Morkel, Ravichandran Ashwin and Michael Hussey donning the Chennai yellow, there were a few big names they might not remember were a part of the Super Kings squad.
Here is a look at five players who were a part of the CSK squad at one point in time:
#5 Justin Kemp
The South African's only taste of the IPL came way back in 2010 when he turned out for the Chennai Super Kings. Kemp played five matches in total, scoring 26 runs and picking up 3 wickets.
Despite being a big-hitter, he could never find his feet in the IPL, possessing a strike rate of just 108. It was his bowling that really helped him keep his place in the side though as he went at just a shade over 7 runs per over across five matches.
#4 Hemang Badani
Another surprising name on the list, Hemang Badani was roped in by CSK for IPL 2010, but he did not feature in a single game all season and had to remain content with watching on from the sidelines.
That remained Badani's only ever IPL vacation as he was never picked up by any of the franchises in future seasons.
Badani was a useful middle-order batsman and athletic fielder whose services would have come in handy in the IPL. Alas, it was not meant to be.
#3 Scott Styris
Scott Styris moved to CSK after plying his trade for three seasons with the Deccan Chargers. The New Zealand all-rounder played only two games in IPL 2011 for the Dhoni-led side, managing just five runs and not scalping a single wicket.
The next season proved to be one to forget as well, as he did not play a single match all campaign. The 2012 edition of the IPL was Styris' final one, and he did not feature in the marquee T20 league ever again.
#2 Akila Dananjaya
The Sri Lankan off-spinner, following some decent showings in the domestic scene, was signed by Chennai Super Kings in the 2013 IPL auctions at his base price.
However, Dananjaya never got any game time due to the presence of stalwarts like Morris, Jadeja and Ashwin and was forced to watch the action unfold from the sidelines.
Dananjaya remained without an IPL franchise for the next four editions of the IPL but was picked up Mumbai Indians in the 2018 auctions.
#1 Thisara Perera
Thisara Perera has turned out for as many as six different IPL franchises, but his first-ever taste of the IPL came for the Chennai Super Kings in the third edition of the T20 league.
He played just a single game the entire campaign, giving away 19 runs in the solitary over he bowled and not contributing with the willow either, not the ideal way to make your debut in such an elite competition.
While CSK did not require his services after that, he was roped in by KTK the next season before moving on to represent the likes of Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers, etc.